How To Prevent Water Damage To Your Home

When it comes to property water damage, even the smallest of leaks can cause extensive problems. To put this into perspective, even a tiny hole in a water pipe less than half a centimetre in diameter has the ability to expel just under 950,000 litres of water over a 3 month period. A leaking toilet can easily loose over 340,000 litres of water in just one month, and even a simple dripping tap can get rid of over 700 litres of water in just one day.

That said, if you do exercise a little caution, then you should never have to encounter the devastation and upheaval that water damage can cause. With this in mind, let's take a look at what you need to do.

Washing Machines

One of the major problems with washing machines are the connecting hoses. They only have a shelf life of about 5 years and after this they can start to perish. As a result it pays to check regularly for signs of wear and tear.

The bottom line is that if they feel perished or look worn, or have passed that 5 year stage then they really should be changed. One thing to bear in mind when they are changed is to leave a sufficient gap behind the washing machine and the wall (say 8-10 cms) to prevent kinking.

Sinks

Sinks are another major cause of water damage so check out your pipework at least every 3 months. If you have copper or plastic pipework, pay particular attention to kinks which might lead to small pinhole leaks over time.

Professional inspections of your water heaters

According to findings a staggering 75% of all water heaters fail before they're 12 years old. In addition any water heater that's been operating for five years or more will increase its chances of suffering either a burst pipe or leak.

For this reason it pays to have the tank and its pipework inspected annually by an experienced plumber. This should include the anode rod. These have a tendency to corrode and as a result can leave the tank open to damage.

Shut off your water at source

Finally, if you do leave your house for any length of time (2 days or more) then err on the side of caution and switch off your main water valve.

Remember a little vigilance and prior planning now can prevent a major catastrophe in the future, so follow these simple points and keep your property water-damage free.

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